From A to Z, 26 Kinks and Fetishes You Should Know About

Consent is paramount in kink. If you’re just getting started, or want to slowly introduce BDSM into an existing relationship, both you and your partner should make a list of your soft and hard limits. A soft limit is something that you’re curious about yet unsure if it’s right for you, such as name-calling. A hard limit is something that you are certain is off-limits, such as electrostimulation. Writing out your hard and soft limits with a partner is a wonderful way to get to know another side of one another. Along with implementing limits, it's important to choose a safe word that is not “no” or “stop,” because some couples use such language as a part of their role play. You can always adjust your hard and soft limits the more you explore, so it’s better to lean on the safe side when pondering and discussing what feels right. Always keep in mind that your kinks may not perfectly align with your partner’s, and that’s OK. “Just because you want it doesn’t mean that someone has to do it,” Horn says. Kink is about consent, communication, and compromise.